REEVES SETTLING IN NICELY

Summer signing Jake Reeves says he is settling in already to his new life as a Bantam.

Reeves joined City at the start of the month for an undisclosed fee from fellow Sky Bet League One side AFC Wimbledon.

The all-action midfielder may have only been with the Bantams just over a week now, but he feels he is quickly getting used to his new club, helped in part by City's current time away in Austria.

Reeves said: "It is never the easiest starting at a new club, especially one that did so well last season, but all the boys have been very welcoming and the staff are very helpful.

"It has also helped knowing someone in the team already (former AFC Wimbledon team-mate Dominic Poleon).

"Going away on a trip like this can only help.

"As a group of players, you do your work together, you are together virtually twenty-four hours of the day.

"You get opportunities to speak with some of the lads when you perhaps might not get the chance to back at the normal training ground.

"A week away like this definitely helps you gel.

"Back in England, you could easily just do your training and go home. We now have an opportunity to socialise and speak in a different environment."

As much as Reeves appreciates the opportunity to get to know his new team-mates a little better during the trip, the 24 year-old understands the main thing at this time of year is the hard work on the training pitch.

He added: "It has been a hard couple of days (in Austria).

"We've been doing our football work and then some running afterwards.

"It has been tough on the body but that is exactly what we're here for.

"Training has certainly been at a high level. The intensity has been there but the gaffer wants quality as well.

"Even when we have been doing the football work, it has been physically tough.

"With a few new players in the squad, I think the manager is very keen to get his message across early.

"He wants us all to know exactly how he wants us to play from the start."

Along with perhaps fellow new recruit Shay McCartan, Reeves has arguably been City's most high-profile signing of the summer so far.

The former Brentford and Tottenham Hotspur midfielder is confident, however, he can cope with any expectations.

Reeves added: "I'm the sort of person who likes to take things in my stride.

"I want to embrace any challenges and keep playing my natural game, and hopefully the fans will enjoy that.

"As a footballer, you want to be a player that the fans get excited about.

"Transfer fees and money a all part and parcel of football, I don't think that will faze me."